Tails of Khmer Civilization 11 days

Follow the tails of the civilization of the Khmer’s. The trip will drive you through some of Cambodia’s most beautiful countryside to your destination of the last religious Center of the Funan Kingdom, “The Cradle of the Khmer civilization”.
Tour continues to Siem Reap, the gateway to the World Heritage of Angkor Wonder! Enjoy the boat trip to the floating village on Tonle Sap, the main highlighted temples in Angkor Complex and make a cross visit to the agriculture and colonial site of Battambang before backing up to the capital city of Phnom Penh.

TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVAL PHNOM PENH , TOUR IN THE AFTERNOON
Arrive in Phnom Penh by morning flight. Meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy some time to yourself and lunch on your own before starting the afternoon tour.
Begin your adventure in Phnom Penh. This charming city will be your first encounter with the Kingdom of Cambodia and the legendary smiles and friendliness of the Cambodian people.
the Cyclo tours around Phnom Penh remain one of the best ways to appreciate the energetic buzz of the city in combination with the historic sites and lively boulevard. Observe the colonial style buildings in the old French quarter such as the post office.

Day 2: PHNOM PENH – TAKEO- PHNOM PENH, Follow the tails of the civilization
Breakfast, ready to start for your excursion to the last religious Center of the Funan Kingdom. The temple Phnom Da is located 70 km from Phnom Penh in the province of Takeo. The way to Takeo takes you through some of Cambodia’s most beautiful countryside.
Upon arrival, take a local speed boat to the temple on an old water channel constructed in the mid-6th century (depending on water levels). Nowadays this channel is still used for transportation between Cambodia and Vietnam. Along the river you can see duck farms, rice fields and fishing villages. It is a one tower temple built on the top of a mountain representing the mountain “Meru”. Visit a unique Indian-style sandstone temple, the Asram Maharosei.
On the way back, we visit a small museum with sculptures from the time of the Funan. Lunch can be enjoyed in Takeo town but is not included. After lunch we head back to Phnom Penh, with a short stopover at one of the temples constructed by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1219).

Day 3: PHNOM PENH – SAMBOR PREI KUH – SIEM REAP, SIGHT-SEEING ON THE WAY
Today, take your early breakfast and prepare to check out and continue your trip to Siem Reap. Take a short stop at Skuon, nicknamed “Spider Village” for its deep fried Tarantula’s. If you are up to it, try yourself one of Cambodia’s delicacies. Continue to Sambor Prei Kuk. This remote temple site is located in the jungle of Kampong Thom and compared to Angkor receives very few visitors. It is a pre-Angkorian temple site that dates back to 7th century and the Isanapura period.
Continue the journey to Siem Reap and make another stop at Kampong Kdei. The village is known for its perfectly intact Angkorian Bridge, called locally as Spean Praptos. This 800 years ancient bridge is the highest, longest one in Cambodia with its spans of approximately 85m in length and 14m height.
Check-in at your hotel and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: ROLUOS, KAMPONG PHLUK AND BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE, SUNSET AT PRE RUB
Today after breakfast, start the visit to Roluos temple group of temples, it’s the province oldest temple site, consists of Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei temple. Afterward continue your trip to Kampong Phluk, a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and it’s home to a variety of wildlife.
During the dry season when the water levels are low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts. At this time of year many of the villagers move out onto the lake and build temporary stilted houses. Enjoy lunch with local at their home in the community.
After lunch, take a ride to visit one of the jewels in the Angkor area, Banteay Srei, which dated back to the late 10th century. This enchanting temple is nearly everyone’s favorite site because of the special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size but excellence in decoration. A special feature of the exquisite decoration was the use of hard pink sandstone.
Late of the day, continue to Pre Rup for an unforgettable Sunset and return to Siem Reap for a free evening.

Day 5: VISIT THE GREAT CITY OF ANGKOR THOM AND THE RUINS IN ANGKOR COMPLEX
Today is your amazing day as you will visit the most highlight temples in Angkor Complex. First visit the South gate and the Angkor Thom City and continue to the mystery masterpieces, Bayon temple, in the centre of this great city. Follow your itinerary and visit Baphoun, Phimeanakasa, Elephant and Lepper King Terrace, Prasat Suor Prat and Ta Prohm, “the ruin with many big trees”.
Enjoy your lunch at Angkor Cafe restaurant then visit Angkor Wat, the magnificent masterpiece and it’s the largest religious monument in the world. Return to town for a free evening.

Day 6: VISIT PREAH KHAN, NEAK PEAN, TA SOM AND END UP AT BAKHENG
Today is your last day in Siem Reap. Start your tour to the temples at grand circuit and visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and end up your day with a superb view on the hill of Bakheng and stay till sunset. Back to the hotel for refreshment before dinner.

Day 7: TRANSFER SIEM REAP – BATTAMBANG
“November to February, trip can be conducted by boat, March to October by overland drive !”

After breakfast, prepare yourself for continuing to your next trip to Battambang and say farewell to Siem Reap. Both overland and on boat trip, you will visit the floating village of Me Chrey, located on the north-western tip of the Tonle Sap. Me Chhrey, a small village allows for an authentic floating experience. On the way back, enjoy the Ox cart ride.
Next, continue to the Angkor Silk Farm, the place of people with underprivileged backgrounds are given an opportunity to improve their livelihoods by reviving the ancient crafts of making art and producing silk. Arrival in Battambang, time at leisure !

Day 8: VISIT THE VILLAGE AND SEE PEOPLE MAKING STICKER RICE
For small family, we bring you the experience of a local transport, Remork (Tuk Tuk), for mini/big group, you will still travel by van, coach or bus.
The first visit in the morning is Wat Damam and learn more about Pagoda Life in Cambodia. Continue to the Bamboo Train Station located a short cycle away and board the tiny train. This small engine powered train has a bamboo platform of 3 by 3 meters and can be considered the smallest passenger train in the world.

** Note:
Due to the rehabilitation of the railways system, the trip could be banned any time according to the government announcement. ADT takes its right to cancel the trip due to any short notice declare by the authority.

Day 9: BATTAMBANG – PHNOM PENH, VISIT KAMPONG LUONG AND OUDDONG
Leave Battambang for Phnom Penh, the overland trip will take about 5 hours.
On the way, stop at Kampong Luong and visit the village of pottery productions. Continue your trip to Phnom Oudong, which was the capital of Cambodia between 1618 and 1866. Continue the journey to Phnom Penh and arrive at the hotel in the mid-afternoon.
Refresh yourself before the visit to Wat Phnom. The site is located on a man-made hill, 27m high. It is believed that Daun Penh, a wealthy widow, found four Buddha statues in a Koki tree floating in the river. She built a small pagoda in 1373 to house the statues after which in 1437 King Ponhea Yat ordered the construction of Wat Phnom, what eventually lead to the city’s namesake.

Day 10: PHNOM PENH, CITY TOUR AND VISIT THE TEMPLES
Breakfast, begin your tour and visit the capital city of Cambodia. Phnom Penh, the commercial and industrial city, and it the most busiest city in the Kingdom. Visit the Royal Palace, it was built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town.
National Museum of Phnom Penh was designed by French historian George Groslier also following traditional Khmer architecture. The museum itself is a landmark and masterpiece in the capital.
Lunch is served in a nearby restaurant. The afternoon is dedicated to a more unpleasant past; the genocide museums of Cambodia. Learning more about Cambodia’s recent history is essential and helps to increase one’s perception of Cambodia’s development and the people’s mentality.
End the day with a shopping spree at the Russian Market where you cna find any souvenir you need to bring back home from this wonderful trip!

Day 11: PHNOM PENH, LEISURE DAY AND TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT OUT
Enjoy your breakfast and relax at the hotel till time for the pick up to the airport. Time of pickup transfer is required 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to your departure time.
End of services.

Map of your tour destination

* Bookings and Payments: – All services are subject to availability.
– In the event of an activity being unavailable, then the best reasonable alternative will be offered.
– In the event of chosen hotel accommodation becoming unavailable after confirmation, the best reasonable alternative accommodation will be offered.
– Reservations will be made only on confirmation of tour services.
– In the event of cancellation by the guest less than 3 days, 50 percent cancelation’s fee will be applied;
– We reserve the right to impose any cancellation fees from any third parties.
– In the event of cancellation due to forces beyond the control of Angkor Destination Travel, all deposits- received will be returned.
– The settlement should be by international bank transfer in advance, or (exceptionally) cash or credit card (Visa or Master card only) in Siem Reap – banking fees may be charged.

* Booking Information: To book your tour, we require the following to be confirmed:
– Submit us the email confirmation of a final itinerary a minimum of 1 week prior to arrival for FIT,
and/or 25 days prior for group tours.
– We accept all types of credit cards (Visa or Master card and Amex).
– Payment by cash up on arrival is the most preferable.
– Payment by credit cards are subjected to add 2.5% for Visa & master cards, and 4.5% for Amex.